Regardless of the perspective with which we look at the history of SINERGIA – Energy Union, there are, due to their importance in the national union movement, two unavoidable dates – its constitution on June 8, 1989, as an independent union and the declaration of the “Public Utility Collective Person” on February 14, 1996, which is the only one in the Portuguese trade union environment.
The life of any institution or person necessarily has a history; a set of relevant facts that mark its path. SINERGIA, in its capacity as trade union in the energy sector, presented the following:
In 1992, SINERGIA began promoting professional training activities in partnership with the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training – IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional). The publication of the Mais Energia (More Energy) bulletin (‘m@is energy’ in its evolution to digital format) began, an informative space open to all members and workers in the sector. Opening up to the first Delegation in Porto.
It was on May 25, 1993, in Brussels, that SINERGIA saw its international projection recognized by being admitted to the World Federation of Industrial Workers – FMTI, which allowed for being present at the XVII Congress of the World Confederation of Labour – WCL later that year.
In 1994, SINERGIA launched the first international training project – EUROFORM – in partnership with the French Gas and Electricity Personnel Federation, consisting of five modules (Ponta Delgada, Lisbon, Porto, Paris and Strasbourg).
In 1995, SINERGIA extended union cooperation to Africa, with special emphasis on Portuguese-speaking countries; SINERGIA was elected to the FMTI World Secretariat.
That year the second Delegation opened, this time in Ponta Delgada-S. Miguel, Azores, in view of the growing establishment of the Union at EDA-Electricity of Azores.
SINERGIA was recognized on February 14, 1996, by the Government of Portugal, as a Public Utility Collective Person following its action and services to society.
On November 25 of that year, at its own initiative, it promoted the creation of the CSEPLP- Energy Union Committee of Portuguese-Speaking Countries.
In 1997, SINERGIA hosted the meeting of the ‘European Works Committees’ of the energy sector and organized the III CONSIG-Global Trade Union Congress.
In 2000, SINERGIA promoted, approved and published the Social Charter for the PALOP through the CSEPLP- Energy Union Committee of Portuguese-Speaking Countries.
On November 18th of this year it co-founded the USI – Union of Independent Trade Unions.
In June 2011 SINERGIA was admitted to the WOW-World Organization of Workers and in November it hosted the World Bureau meeting in Lisbon.
In 2012, SINERGIA became represented in the autonomous region of Madeira with the first group of associates in EEM – Madeira Electricity Company.
In 2013, the delegation opened in Funchal, Madeira Island, more precisely in the ‘Start Up Madeira’ space next to the University Center.
In 2016, SINERGIA regained the title M@is Energia, now with a digital edition and in the format of a ‘Newsletter’ and created its own channel on YouTube (SINERGIAportugal), in addition to its presence on Facebook and Instagram.
In 2018, SINERGIA, in preparation for its 30th anniversary celebration, now had an application (APP ‘SINERGIA Mobile’) for smartphones open and available to all workers in the energy sector.
In October 2019, SINERGIA co-organized and hosted (in the city of Porto) the meetings of the WOW European and World Boards, as well as a EZA seminar.
SINERGIA’s Communication Office produced and edited the book «30 of many years… much more than 30 years!» presented in a formal session (Porto) on the 30th anniversary and distributed to all members.
On October 19, 2023, SINERGIA became a full member of EZA (European Center for Workers’ Issues), an aspiration that has long been in our goals.
Long life for SINERGIA!
